The heads-up display is not a new idea. Fighter pilots are accustomed to systems that put key information into their line of sight for easier access. But what might that look like in a piece of off-highway equipment?

A visit to the Doosan booth at CES in Las Vegas offered a glimpse of what might be possible. "It's still experimental," says Justin Odegard, Bobcat acceleration manager.

While Bobcat got a fair share of attention for its first fully electric compact track loader, the exhibit showed other innovations, including the monitor.

Related: Bobcat Introduces first electric compact track loader

The experiment is a monitor that replaces the windshield of a machine. In its CES exhibit, the company showed the idea on a mini-excavator. What might that mean for the operator?

Every farmer knows that you want information right where you can see it, so how about turning the windshield into a monitor? Today's 12-inch monitors are far better than their smaller predecessors — but often, to get what you need, more than one is needed in the cab.

Moving the display to the windshield offers some interesting options, and Bobcat is experimenting. The display, built by LG, is a touch-screen interface that allows the user to select just what they want to see when running the machine.

Truly heads-up

The idea of moving key information to the windshield allows the operator to keep their eyes on the job. Having the display customizable means each operator of a machine — tractor, skid steer, combine, sprayer — would be able to set up the machine to their preference.

When implemented, it's likely a user could set up their profile to have the information they need on the screen; then, another operator could use the machine with their saved setup. Odegard says customers do have specific preferences for what they want to see on a display, and this tech would make that easier.

Already, a user can decide what joystick approach they want on the mini-excavator model. This can vary between two-handle use or the more modern single-stick approach that works more like a video game. Users are customizing their machines more every year.

"Users are used to this approach since they have smartphones," says Odegard. "We can put information right in front of the user."

Monitor resolution opportunity

The system is an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) monitor, which is a newer tech display approach that uses less power than traditional LED monitors. The prototype at the Doosan exhibit was cloudy, which Odegard admits would not be welcomed by traditional users.

"This is a high-definition display, which causes that cloudy look," he says. He notes the company could look at a lower-definition display, since the information shown doesn't need to be that high-resolution. For now it's an experimental prototype to work on ways this kind of approach might be used, with no immediate plans for commercialization. And OLED display tech will evolve as well.

It remains to be seen how this kind of approach will be viewed by users.